What Is a Field Watch? | History of Field Watches & Current Models

In this era of increasingly complex and complicated technology, there is something quite elegant and refreshing about a field watch. By definition, a field watch isn’t overstuffed with features or “smart” tech. It does one thing, and one thing very well: it tells the time.

It would seem counterintuitive that basic timepieces could maintain their popularity when they have been made superficially obsolete by smartphones and the like. In reality, though what makes a field watch so great is that it’s the complete opposite of a smartwatch, it’s simple.

To understand the modern appeal of a field watch, we’ll have to look at their history and how they’ve adapted – or not adapted – to the times.

The History of the Field Watch

Before the First World War, wristwatches were strictlyfashion accessories for women. They were considered dainty and unbecoming for a man who would more commonly be seen sporting a pocket watch. As has so often happened in history, though, wartime necessity would lead to a global shift, both in the military and in the civilian realm.

A watch was an invaluable tool to ensure military precision, but in the midst of battle, reaching into your pocket to check the time was impractical and potentially deadly. Wristwatches solved this problem. The first wristwatches for those in the military were called “trench watches” because they were worn and marketed toward the men who were literally in the trenches.

While the use of wristwatches by officers was common practice in the military during WWI, it wasn’t until WWII that militaries on both sides started making them standard issue. There were numerous types of watches commissioned by the military, though they were all similar, and the most common (at least on the Allied side) was theA-11 Military Spec.

What Qualities Do Field Watches Have?

As with all things military, the issued field watches were expected to meet specific standards, both in terms of timekeeping reliability and physical durability. In the decades before battery-powered quartz watches upped the expectations for accuracy, the A-11, that only lost or gained 30 seconds a day, was considered very accurate. The A-11 also needed to be dust and waterproof and able to withstand extreme temperature conditions.

There were other qualities that helped make a watchespecially useful in the field. Stainless steel was generally used for the casing, while an adjustable and comfortable leather or canvas strap was standard. Also, the display needed to be able to be read in all conditions, so the case would be large (though not as large as a pilot watch) and the face was high contrast, usually white numerals on a black background.

It’s now been more than a century since the beginning of World War I and the emerging popularity of the basic wristwatch for men. In those 100 years, watches have gained increasingly more sophisticated features while fashion preferences have cycled through dozens of styles. Yet, through it all, the classic, unflashy field watch has remained a popular timepiece among collectors and casual watch wearers alike.

Let’s look at four of the watches that epitomize the field watch in the modern era.

The Best Modern Field Watches

If you like the classic style of a field watch, chances are you already own one that’s still ticking. The great thing about field watches is their longevity and complete immunity to changing fashions. For anyone looking to buy another field watch, or maybe your very first, here are some of the best field watches being put on the market today.

Hamilton Khaki Field Watch

Hamilton Khaki

Hamilton has created a beautiful timepiece that truly looks like it could have been worn on the battlefields of World War II. The Khaki Field Watch (see its current price on Amazon) doesn’t throw in unnecessary bells and whistles. It has a stainless steel case, a nylon “NATO” strap, and a high-contrast display that uses large white numerals on a black face and luminescent hands.

If the price seems high for such a basic watch, consider that underneath the simple design is Hamilton’s renowned Swiss watchmaking quality. This is a classic hand-wound mechanical watch, a true throwback in our modern timekeeping era. The Khaki Field Watch is a timepiece for anyone who enjoys the classics.

Bertucci A-2T Original Classic

Bertucci Men

For a more affordable option,the Bertucci A-2T hits a lot of the same notes as the Hamilton. Bertucci is an American watchmaking company that started in 2003, and their focus is entirely on making high-performance field watches. Manufactured entirely in the US, and using Japanese quartz movement, Bertucci guarantees the durability of their watches, something any field officer would surely appreciate.

Timex Expedition Scout

Timex Unisex

From another American company, Timex, comes a bargain-priced facsimile of a classic field watch, the Expedition Scout (available on Amazon). Timex is known for making good watches at good prices, and this green, quartz analog watch fits the bill, with a nylon strap and large luminescent numbers on a military-green face.

It also includes a date window. If you’re just on the search for something simple that doesn’t cost a lot of money, this should do the job.

Luminox Aticama Field

Luminox Atacama

These days, when people talk military watches, they often mean Luminox. This US-based company has been commissioned to create durable watches for various branches of the military, including the Navy SEALS. These watches are far more advanced than the standard field watches of yore, equipped with all kinds of features intended to help the men and women in the most dangerous situations.

The Luminox Aticama Field line includes various watches that are field watch-inspired, albeit with modern twists. The closest to a classic field watch is probably the Atacama 1929 (find its price on Amazon).

This quartz analog watch comes with a brown leather band and day and date windows. Though the face isn’t as high contrast as a classic field watch, Luminox makes up for this with their patented luminescent face that lights up without battery or external light source.

With its roots in simpler times (at least in terms of technology), the classic field watch seems poised to remain a popular item for generations to come. You would be wise to keep it in mind the next time you’re in the market for a wristwatch.

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